Elections 2018

Opinion

Ghani Returns To Kabul From Brussels Summit

President Ashraf Ghani returned to Kabul early Thursday after attending the two-day Brussels Summi

President Ashraf Ghani returned to Kabul early Thursday after attending the two-day Brussels Summit on Afghanistan, the president's office said in a statement.

At a press conference on Wednesday night, Ghani extended his heartfelt gratitude to the international community for the $15.2 billion USD pledged for the years 2017 – 2020, according to the statement.

Ghani said all plans prepared ahead of the two-day Brussels Summit on Afghanistan were drawn up carefully and based on relativity to the lives of the people of Afghanistan.

He said the success of Afghanistan so far has been through team work but that going forward, it is essential that this dialogue continues and that it yields results.

According to him, not only has Afghanistan secured financial and development support at Brussels but in the past three months the Afghan private sector has pledged to also invest $1.1 billion USD in the country.

Ghani said that following the pledges Wednesday, much work lies ahead in terms of turning this aid into viable projects and added that the promises made at Brussels means the people of Afghanistan get a new lease on life where prosperity can be generated.

But Ghani returns home to real issues, including the crisis in Kunduz. Four days ago Taliban insurgents carried out coordinated attacks on the city and have held the town under siege since.

Security forces on Thursday continued to conduct military operations in different parts of Kunduz and troops were slowly pushing back insurgents in the eastern suburbs.

According to a source, insurgents ramped up attacks in the third district, in Zakhil and Banda-e-Imam areas overnight but faced strong offensives by security forces.

On Thursday morning, heavy clashes were ongoing on the Kabul-Kunduz highway, Zakhil and Shir Khan Bander and thousands of residents were desperately trying to flee the city.

As shops remain largely closed, food is scarce. Prices have skyrocketed including that of transport, food and recharge cards for mobile phones.

Ghani Returns To Kabul From Brussels Summit

President Ashraf Ghani returned to Kabul early Thursday after attending the two-day Brussels Summi

President Ashraf Ghani returned to Kabul early Thursday after attending the two-day Brussels Summit on Afghanistan, the president's office said in a statement.

At a press conference on Wednesday night, Ghani extended his heartfelt gratitude to the international community for the $15.2 billion USD pledged for the years 2017 – 2020, according to the statement.

Ghani said all plans prepared ahead of the two-day Brussels Summit on Afghanistan were drawn up carefully and based on relativity to the lives of the people of Afghanistan.

He said the success of Afghanistan so far has been through team work but that going forward, it is essential that this dialogue continues and that it yields results.

According to him, not only has Afghanistan secured financial and development support at Brussels but in the past three months the Afghan private sector has pledged to also invest $1.1 billion USD in the country.

Ghani said that following the pledges Wednesday, much work lies ahead in terms of turning this aid into viable projects and added that the promises made at Brussels means the people of Afghanistan get a new lease on life where prosperity can be generated.

But Ghani returns home to real issues, including the crisis in Kunduz. Four days ago Taliban insurgents carried out coordinated attacks on the city and have held the town under siege since.

Security forces on Thursday continued to conduct military operations in different parts of Kunduz and troops were slowly pushing back insurgents in the eastern suburbs.

According to a source, insurgents ramped up attacks in the third district, in Zakhil and Banda-e-Imam areas overnight but faced strong offensives by security forces.

On Thursday morning, heavy clashes were ongoing on the Kabul-Kunduz highway, Zakhil and Shir Khan Bander and thousands of residents were desperately trying to flee the city.

As shops remain largely closed, food is scarce. Prices have skyrocketed including that of transport, food and recharge cards for mobile phones.